Alleviating signs of dermatological aging with glycolic acid, lactic acid or citric acid

Abstract

Uses of topical compositions comprising a 2-hydroxycarboxylic acid or related compound to alleviate or improve signs of skin, nail and hair changes associated with intrinsic or extrinsic aging are disclosed. 2-Hydroxycarboxylic acids and their related compounds include, for example, 2-hydroxyethanoic acid, 2-hydroxypropanoic acid 2-methyl 2-hydroxypropanoic acid, 2-phenyl 2-hydroxyethanoic acid, 2-phenyl 2-methyl 2-hydroxyethanoic acid, 2-phenyl 3-hydroxypropanoic acid, 2,2-diphenyl 2-hydroxyethanoic acid, 2-hydroxybutane-1,4-dioicacid, 2,3-hihydroxybutane-1,4-dioic acid, 2-carboxy 2-hydroxypentane-1,5-dioic acid, 2-ketopropanoic acid, methyl 2-ketopropanoate, ethyl 2-ketopropanoate, and gluconolactone. Topical application of compositions comprising 2-hydroxycarboxylic acid and/or related compounds has been found to alleviate or improve skin lines; blotches; blemishes; nodules; wrinkles; pigmented spots; atrophy; precancerous lesions; elastotic changes characterized by leathery, coarse, rough, dry and yellowish skin; and other skin changes associated with intrinsic aging or skin damages caused by extrinsic factors such as sunlight, radiations, air pollution, wind, cold, dampness, heat, chemicals, smoke and cigarette smoking. Topical applications of such compositions have also been found to improve the overall qualities of nail and hair affected by intrinsic aging or damaged by extrinsic factors.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for reducing the appearance of skin changes associated with intrinsic and/or extrinsic aging, said skin changes associated with aging resulting from natural or innate aging or exposure to actinic radiation, whereby said skin changes associated with aging are selected from the group consisting of wrinkles, thinning of the skin, deepening of skin lines, yellowish skin, loss of elasticity, loss of recoilability, and loss of collagen,   said method comprising topically applying to an area of skin exhibiting said change a composition comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of glycolic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, or a topically effective salt thereof, in an amount and for a period of time sufficient to reduce the appearance of said skin changes associated with aging.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1, wherein said extrinsic aging is caused by extrinsic factors selected from the group consisting of sunlight; radiation; air pollution; wind; cold; dampness; heat; chemicals; smoke; and cigarette smoking. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1, wherein said compound is in the form of a salt. 
     
     
       4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said composition is formulated as a solution, gel, lotion, cream, or ointment. 
     
     
       5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the period of time is at least three months. 
     
     
       6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the period of time is at least four months. 
     
     
       7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said topical application is on a daily basis. 
     
     
       8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said skin changes associated with aging result from natural or innate aging. 
     
     
       9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said skin changes associated with aging result from exposure to actinic radiation. 
     
     
       10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said compound is the principal ingredient responsible for effecting said skin change. 
     
     
       11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said method results in skin having a more youthful appearance. 
     
     
       12. The method according to any of claims 1-11, wherein said compound is glycolic acid or a topically effective salt thereof. 
     
     
       13. The method according to any of claims 1-11, wherein said compound is lactic acid in D, L or DL form, or a topically effective salt thereof. 
     
     
       14. The method according to any of claims 1-11, wherein said compound is citric acid or a topically effective salt thereof.